Group will find a way
Edwardsburgh Co-operative Playgroup chair optimistic centre
will be open this fall
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
SPENCERVILLE There is hope the Edwardsburgh Co-operative
Playgroup may be able to remain open after all.
New provincial water regulations require the early childhood
education program to have additional equipment installed at the
Nation Masonic Lodge in Spencerville.
It had been believed the cost of installing a chlorination
treatment system was $30,000, an amount that would be very difficult
for the community-based organization to raise.
Paula Carmichael, chair of the group, said she has received
numerous calls and comments of support since the group's situation
was first reported two weeks ago.
Those who attended a general meeting of the corporation last
Thursday appear to be "very keen" on the idea of finding
a solution to the problem.
"I am really confident that things are going to fall
into place," she said.
The group plans to "fundraise like mad" and is pursuing
funding opportunities.
Carmichael said the estimate of how much a water treatment
system would cost may be lower than first thought. The office
of Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman has offered to look into
the situation and see what can be done.
The new regulations also require the playgroup to complete
weekly water tesing at its own expense.
Carmichael noted there is nothing wrong with the water at
the Masonic Lodge. It is strictly a case of meeting new regulations,
she added.
The centre is licensed to care for up to 16 children per day.
Carmichael said she is confident the playgroup will start a fall
program within the next few weeks, although she was unable to
provide a more specific date.
As for the Cardinal component of the playgroup organization,
Carmichael believes it will attempt to form a separate group.
"I think they're going to pursue licensing on their own,"
she said.
For more information on the Edwardsburgh playgroup, call Carmichael
at 658-5258.
Local real estate market is booming, realtors
say
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Communities within South Grenville are experiencing
an unprecedented boom in real estate that's keeping agents busy,
driving residential house prices skyward, and contributing to
local economies.
Statistics from the local Rideau St. Lawrence Real Estate
Board indicate the number of house sales and average selling
prices so far this year have increased from 2001.
Gary Cook, an associate broker with I.H. Miller Real Estate
in Prescott, said the market is the busiest it has been in three
years. "The properties are being bought up relatively quickly
if priced correctly."
Attractive pricing and a better quality of life with such
amenities as the curling and golf clubs and access to the river
are drawing many people from outside the area, Cook noted. If
priced right, homes in Prescott and the surrounding area generally
sell within 30 to 45 days, and some homes turn over in as little
as a week.
"Obviously, it's good for us (as realtors), but economically
it's got to help the area," Cook said.
Morris Stark, who has 31 years real estate experience in the
Brockville area and who recently took over as broker of Iacurci
Realty in Prescott, said the South Grenville market is busy,
with the activity level "as good as Brockville. As properties
come up, they're selling."
Many of the buyers are local people moving up or first-time
buyers, he said. But there has also been a number of sales to
retirees who are escaping the congestion of the city and trading
for a more relaxed lifestyle.
The location of Prescott and other South Grenville communities
is excellent, and the attitude of the people is friendlier, Stark
added.
Prescott is also becoming more progressive, as seen by the
new shopping development near Highway 401, he noted. That kind
of progress and expansion leaves a good impression, which leads
to further development and employment in an area. "It makes
things look economically good," Stark said. "It's a
real plus for Prescott."
Dale Charbot, a sales representative with Royal LePage Gale
Real Estate in Kemptville and Cardinal whose territory stretches
from Kemptville into Ottawa and south to St. Lawrence River communities,
said he has seen an incredible change in the local real estate
market.
Prices had been stagnant in the river communities for a long
time, Charbot said. Now, "they're being listed higher and
selling for more, and they're getting it. And they're selling
quicker." A three to six-month selling time is usual, he
said, but it is not uncommon now for many homes to sell within
the first few weeks.
There are many factors driving this change, he noted. "The
Ottawa market is so red hot. Prices have gone up so drastically
in Ottawa, that has pushed the buyers to Kemptville and Merrickville.
Now all of a sudden there's a shortage of houses because there's
so many buyers; there's a shortage of listings. Now they're starting
to push further south. The further south they come, you see a
wave of prices going up and up."
Many people who are attracted to Ottawa for the government
and high-tech jobs and consulting work prefer not to live there,
Charbot explained.
"A lot have ties to Ottawa, but don't want to live in
the city. They don't mind a half-hour to an hour commute. And
you see such a drastic difference in price."
A home priced in the South Grenville area at about $250,000
could be between $350,000 and $400,000 in Ottawa, Charbot said.
"With the price difference, it's easy to justify an hour
commute.
"This is where they want to be because it's a much nicer
lifestyle," Charbot added. "A lot of people have just
had it with cities. They don't want to raise their kids in a
city environment."
It's also the lower prices attracting buyers to the area about
halfway between Kemptville and Spencerville and south to the
St. Lawrence River, Charbot said. A house in Kemptville that's
$200,000, "I'll sell here for $140-150,000. There's an imaginary
line that runs parallel to Highway 43, and when you cross it,
prices drop. That market is driven by the Ottawa buyers; that
inflates the prices."
The Highway 416 corridor is also driving the change in the
real estate market, Charbot commented. "As you get further
away from the 416/401 juncture, you'll see prices will fall off.
Morrisburg isn't as affected as Cardinal, Johnstown or Prescott,
because (the highway) is right there."
"It's amazing how the real estate area is changing; it's
incredible. You're selling similar homes, but you're not selling
at the same price. There's a huge difference."
Charbot is also seeing more retirees and people who are within
about five years of retiring move into the South Grenville area.
"They're selling their house in a city like Ottawa, for
example, and they're moving out here to buy a better property
at a better price and putting the rest of their money in the
bank."
Community pitches in to help family cope with
tragic accident
Ball tournament raises $4,000 for Dustin Ruigrok's recovery
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
SPENCERVILLE A local family coping with the aftermath
of a serious accident has received a big boost on the ball diamonds
of the Spencerville area.
A mixed ball tournament held late last week raised $4,000
for Dustin Ruigrok, the Spencerville-area teenager who remains
in hospital weeks after he was seriously injured in a motorcycle
accident at the intersection of County Road 21 and Weir Road.
With 14 teams signing up to take part, the mixed slow-pitch
tournament had to be expanded by one day. Games were played Thursday
night, Friday night and Saturday. The two diamonds in Spencerville
and one at Roebuck were used; each team was guaranteed three
games.
In addition to entry fees, a raffle, 50-50 draw and concession
sales, organizers collected numerous donations from local residents
who attended the ball games and wanted to help.
"The support from the community was unbelievable,"
said Stephanie Summers, one of the organizers of the tournament.
Among the players were Dustin's mother and brother. Summers
said the tournament provided the family one of its first breaks
since Dustin's accident.
"She (Dustin's mother) was overwhelmed" by the support
offered at the tournament, according to Summers.
Dustin sustained severe head injuries in the accident, as
well as broken bones and other injuries. Summers said Dustin's
body is healing quite well. He remains at Kingston General Hospital
and is on a waiting list at a neurological unit in Toronto.
Summers, who spearheaded the local effort to host a successful
provincial bantam boys fastball tournament earlier this summer,
said she feels even better about the success of Dustin's tournament.
"There was an outpouring of compassion... because it was
all for Dustin and the family," she added.
Two teams from Brockville competed in the final game. The
Maniacs won the final and, unlike cash tournaments, received
pizzas and salads for their achievement. Summers said the event
was not about competition; participants could leave with the
feeling they helped make one family's ordeal a little less difficult.
Plans are in the works for a golf tournament to be held early
next month in Prescott. Proceeds from the event will also go
to the Ruigrok family and Dustin's recovery effort.
THIS WEEK
Bacteria levels remain high at local beach
PRESCOTT Bacteria levels in the water at Kelly's Beach
were unacceptable as of late last week, according to water samples
taken by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.
It was the second straight week high levels were recorded
at the public beach west of the Coast Guard base. The health
unit monitored the quality of water on a weekly basis in July
and August.
Swimmers and others who come into contact with water that
has higher bacteria levels may be at greater risk of ear infection,
skin irritation and gastrointestinal illnesses, according to
health officials. Elevated bacteria levels are often attributed
to recent rainfall that washes human and animal wastes into the
water.
A sign advising swimmers and other recreational users of the
water at the beach not to go into the water is posted after unacceptable
bacteria levels are indicated.
Ignoring school bus safety can be costly
SOUTH GRENVILLE Motorists are being reminded to be on the
lookout for youngstres now that the new school year is under
way.
The fine for failing to stop for a school bus with its red
warning lights flashing is $405 plus a victim surcharge of $95.
A conviction would also result in six demerit points being assessed
against the driver.
More importantly, the safety of children may be placed at
risk if vehicles attempt to pass school buses loading or unloading
youngsters.
Motorists should also be aware community safety zones are
in place at or near some schools in the region. Fines for speeding
are double the regular amount in those zones.
Safety program offered to youngsters, parents
PRESCOTT A program designed to promote school bus safety
to kindergarten students and their parents will be presented
this Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 pm at St. Mark Catholic School on Edward
Street.
The "First Time Riders" program is presented by
the public and Catholic school boards and local school bus operators.
The hour-long session includes a video of "Pooh's School
Bus Adventure," a short bus ride with demonstrations of
safe waiting, loading, riding and unloading procedures and refreshments
for the children.
The program will also be offered this Saturday morning at
J.L. Jordan school in Brockville.
For more information, call Sharon at the public school board
at (613) 283-1590 or Grace at the Catholic board (800-443-4562,
ext. 213).
Benefit dance to help victims of recent barn fires in Lanark
LANARK COUNTY A benefit dance for victims of a recent
rash of barn fires in Lanark County will take place later this
month.
The fundraising event will take place Saturday, Sept. 21 at
the Almonte arena. A number of farm families in the Mississippi
Mills area are rebuilding their operations; the benefit dance
is part of a community effort to provide much-needed financial
and emotional support to those families.
The event is being hosted by the Lanark County Federation
of Agriculture, Lanark County Junior Farmer Alumni and Eastern
Ontario Agri-Business Support Centre.
A barbecue is also in the works; it will take place Saturday,
Sept. 14 at the Army & Navy in Carleton Place.
For more information or to buy tickets for the dance, call
1-866-796-7892 or (613) 258-8271.
Town police arrest
and charge local man following incident at restaurant
PRESCOTT A 19-year-old Prescott man was arrested and
charged following a report of an assault at Burger King Aug.
27.
The victim, a 16-year-old male, was taken to Brockville General
Hospital were he was treated and released, according to a Prescott
Police Service news release. Jason Benoit faces a charge of assault
causing bodily harm. He is to appear in court at a later date.
Constable Rob Prophet is the investigating officer.
In all, town officers investigated 87 general incidents and
four motor vehicle accidents between Aug. 25 and Sept. 1.
A reported bail violation led to an investigation by Prescott
police Aug. 27. Ricky Schieman, 36, of Prescott, was arrested
for breach of undertaking. He was released and is scheduled to
appear in court at a later date. Sergeant Garry Sluytman is the
investigating officer.
Police investigated a report of wilful damage at Maybelle's
on King Street. It was revealed a male had fallen through the
window. The male, who was located and was not injured in the
incident, was not charged. Constable Terry Foster is the investigating
officer.
A minor theft was reported Aug. 30 at Beckers on Edward Street.
Two males approximately 17 or 18 years old were observed taking
items from the store without paying for them. Acting Chief Bryan
Somerville is the investigating officer.
Two thefts from unlocked vehicles were reported Sept. 1. One
took place at 595 Henry St. W.; Canadian Tire money was stolen.
The other theft occurred at 288 Victor Road; binoculars valued
at $75 were taken. Constable Shawn Steinburg is investigating
both thefts.
Anyone who has information on these or any other cases involving
illegal activity in town is asked to contact the Prescott Police
Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Special OPP unit patrols
local ATV trails
SOUTH GRENVILLE Members of the Ontario Provincial Police
Snowmobile, All-Terrain Vehicle and Vessel Enforcement (SAVE)
team were on ATV patrol late last week in the Prescott area.
Members seized a stolen ATV last Friday. Charges are pending,
according to a police news release; the incident is under investigation
by Constable Price of the Grenville County OPP detachment.
SAVE team members were on patrol Saturday when they checked
three ATVs. One of the machines was found to be stolen. Joseph
Campeau, 21, of Smiths Falls, was charged with possession of
stolen property, driving an ATV without a plate and possession
of narcotics.
Adam Maloney, 19, of Smiths Falls, was also charged with possession
of narcotics and failing to surrender insurance.
Members of the local OPP detachment assisted the SAVE team
during its patrols in the Prescott area.
Bank BBQ proceeds go
to food bank
PRESCOTT The Royal Bank branch on King Street West will
host a barbecue this Friday, Sept. 6 from 11 am to 2 pm.
Proceeds will go to the Food For All Food Bank, the new facility
serving residents of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
The food bank is located across from the Prescott Legion on
Henry Street.
Charity cookbook is on the menu
By David Dickenson - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - The owner of a local business is ready for his
charity cookbook to be published this fall.
Marc Cardinal, the owner of Frametastic Gallery and Picture
Framing, set out to organize the cookbook five years ago.
"I just got the idea and began collecting recipes from
my clients when I was based out of my home," says Cardinal.
"After a year of collecting recipes for the book, I had
285 recipes and was ready to go on from there."
Cardinal then tried to put out the cookbook with help from
his clients, but discovered the cost to do it himself was too
expensive.
"After that I went to a charity cookbook company in Winnipeg
and went through them as they have experience doing this,"
explained Cardinal. "After sending out letters I have just
over 30 sponsors who all pledged $100 each to get the book going."
The book features eight sections divided by the type of meal
it fits under and covers everything from breakfast, brunch and
lunch to dessert.
It has a local touch will all the recipes provided by customers
of Cardinal's shop and local artist Bonnie Lemaire doing illustrations
for the cover and section dividers.
"Our goal for the book is to sell 1,000 copies to collect
$10,000 for the Palliative care unit of St. Vincent de Paul Hospital,"
says Cardinal. "I'm looking at starting to take pre-orders
before the official release."
Cardinal's father-in-law and grandmother were patients of
the unit at St. Vincent's.
The book will be dedicated to the staff, patients, doctors
and nurses at the unit.
The book is set to be sent out for printing next week with
its release in late October or early November.
For more information contact Cardinal at Frametastic.
West Nile virus advice remains unchanged in
wake of first human cases in Ontario
Health officials maintain risk of serious illness is very
low
SOUTH GRENVILLE The first Canadian cases of humans contracting
West Nile virus have prompted health officials to reiterate their
calls for the public to take precautions but not to panic.
It was announced late last week preliminary tests indicated
the virus was the probable cause of illness in three residents
of the Toronto area. In two cases, it is believed the virus was
contracted in this country.
West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne virus that in rare cases
may develop into an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord,
has led to at least a dozen deaths in the United States so far
this year. Mosquitoes obtain the virus by feeding on infected
birds. A dead crow found just outside Spencerville earlier this
summer tested positive for the virus. At least three other infected
crows have been found in the area served by the Leeds, Grenville
and Lanark District Health Unit.
Health officials continue to stress most people who get infected
by West Nile will either have no symptoms or a mild illness.
People over the age of 50 or whose immune system is compromised
may be at greater risk of developing fever, weakness and more
serious symptoms.
Although the risk of serious illness is low, the public is
being encouraged to take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
These measures include wearing light-coloured clothing to cover
exposed skin, using repellent containing DEET and ensuring windows
and doors in homes have screens in good condition.
Property owners are also being asked to drain areas of stagnant
or standing water which serve as mosquito breeding areas. The
health unit will continue to monitor the progress of the virus
by testing mosquitoes in pre-selected areas and tracking dead
crows. The crow was chosen because it is part of a species of
bird that is more susceptible than others to West Nile.
The public can report dead birds to the health unit by calling
345-5685. Additional information is available at www.healthunit.org.
Rubber gloves should be worn when handling dead birds. In
the event the health unit opts not to examine a dead crow, the
bird can be disposed of by double-bagging it and putting it in
with regular household garbage or by burying the carcass in at
least 60 centimetres of soil. It is recommended anyone who handles
a dead bird should wash his or her hands thoroughly with soap
and water.
Chamber of Commerce golf tournament tees off Wednesday
PRESCOTT - The annual Charlie McFarlane Memorial Golf Tournament
is set to tee off Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Prescott Golf Club.
The tournament which is presented by the Prescott and District
Chamber of Commerce, begins with a scramble/shotgun start at
12:30 pm.
The tournament, features special prizes including five separate
hole-in-one specials with prizes including a Nike Driver, 36
dozen Nike golf balls, $10,000, a 2002 Buick Century and a four-day,
three-night Palm Coast Florida holiday.
Call Peter Topps at 925-4244 ext. 250 to book a spot and Prescott
Golf Club at 925-5370 for carts.
Optimists to host soap
box derby
SPENCERVILLE The Spencerville Optimists will host a
soap box derby Saturday, Sept. 28 at Cleary's Hill on Goodin
Road.
Registration begins at 9 am; races start at 10 am.
CORRECTION
The caption that appeared with last week's Cardinal's Past
photo contained two errors. The men in the back of the photo
are Elmer Raycroft and William (Bill) Van Camp Jr.
Tickets now available
for annual Ducks Unlimited banquet
SOUTH GRENVILLE The annual banquet of the Prescott-area
chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be held Friday, Sept. 20 at the
community hall in Roebuck.
Doors open at 6 pm; dinner will be served at 7 pm.
For tickets or more information, call Paul Van Luit at 925-3312,
Jim Holmes at 925-4800 or 925-5186, or Don Jones at 925-4233.
Tickets are available at all three banks in Prescott and at Knapp's
Yamaha.
Figures indicate house prices in area are rising
Statistics obtained from the Rideau St. Lawrence Real Estate
Board, which covers 42 real estate offices and 178 agents in
Leeds and Grenville, indicate more houses are selling this year
than last, and at higher prices.
The figures are based on MLS (multiple listing service) statistics
only, and not private sales or exclusive listings. The figures
are for year-to-date.
In Prescott, the average price of a home sold in 2002 was
$94,581 (32 homes sold), as compared to $85,288 (25 homes) in
2001.
Augusta Township statistics, which include figures from Elizabethtown
Township, indicate prices jumped to $145,579 (89 homes) from
$134,017 (105 homes).
Selling prices in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal averaged $108,000
this year (35 homes), as compared to $102,000 in 2001 (33). These
figures for the township are grouped with statistics from Matilda,
Mountain, South Gower and Oxford.
Prices were steady in Brockville, with the average price of
a home sold in 2002 being $124,194 (162 homes), and $124,307
(146 homes) in 2001.
In North Grenville Township, which includes Kemptville and
comes under the Ottawa Real Estate Board, the average price in
2002 was $168,441 (178 homes), as opposed to $150,789 (138 homes)
the previous year.
There were 2,570 homes sold in Ottawa so far this year at
an average price of $216,689, as compared to 2,329 sold in the
same time period last year at an average price of $196,037. These
figures do not include outside areas of Ottawa, such as Nepean
($205,000), Rideau and Manotick ($289,000) and Kanata ($206,000).
The average selling price of a home in 2002 within the Ottawa
board was $200,103 (8,302 homes sold). The 2001 average price
was $175,529 (7,382 homes). Within the Rideau-St. Lawrence board,
the average price was $126,598 (653 homes) in 2002, and $115,834
last year (631 homes).
The Rideau St. Lawrence board, based in Brockville, covers
the area north to Perth, east to Morrisburg, south to the river
and west to Lansdowne.
Augusta library to host friends workshop
ALGONQUIN The Augusta Township Public Library in Algonquin
will host this year's regional Friends of the Library workshop
Saturday, Sept. 21.
Members of friends groups are invited to attend to share ideas
on fundraising projects and exchange information on programs
and services. Library friends groups attempt to provide the extras
to library patrons not generally possible through municipal budgets.
Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch to the all-day,
informal session. For more information, call the library at 926-2449.
Drummond's gets LCBO
agency outlet
SPENCERVILLE A Liquor Control Board of Ontario agency
outlet will soon be open in Drummond's Gas Bar and Convenience
Store.
Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman announced last Thursday Drummond's
had been awarded the agency store.
"I am confident this will be a successful store
an important expansion to LCBO's mandate of providing outstanding
service to Ontario residents," Runciman stated in a news
release. "
The LCBO expansion program was announced as the service bay
area of the business was being renovated. The Drummonds submitted
a proposal this spring. Building renovations have since been
completed.
"We will carry the products that local people want,"
Drummond stated.
This will be the third new LCBO outlet in Leeds-Grenville
this year. An agency store opened this summer in Mallorytown;
Rockport has also been home to a summer outlet.
Provincial funding
goes to local police
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE Several municipalities in the region
will be receiving special police funding, Public Safety and Security
Minister Bob Runciman announced Aug. 29.
As part of a partnership to enable municipalities to increase
front-line policing services, the province will give $27,127
to Brockville, $19,109 to Gananoque and $13,170 to Prescott for
the 2001/2002 fiscal year.
Runciman, MPP for Leeds-Grenville, also announced grants to
municipalities to offset costs incurred as a result of Reduce
Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checks conducted during the
2001/2002 fiscal year.
Funding will go to Augusta ($2,059), Prescott ($904) and several
other communities in the region.
CORRECTION
An article that appeared in last week's paper indicated the
annual autumn colours boat cruise hosted by United Way of Leeds
and Grenville Sept. 29 includes a stop-over at Boldt Castle.
The article should have stated the three-hour cruise does
not include a stop-over at Boldt Castle.
For more information or to reserve tickets for the annual
cruise, call 342-8889.
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